About three years after ordering 400 French special forces to leave its territory, Burkina Faso has taken its most consequential step yet in dismantling decades of French influence by formally severing diplomatic relations with France.
The decision was announced in a June 26 communiqué signed by Government Spokesperson Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, who said the military-led government had concluded that the conditions for maintaining bilateral relations based on mutual respect, reciprocal trust, non-interference in internal affairs and respect for national sovereignty "are no longer in place."
The government said the decision followed "a comprehensive assessment" of its relationship with France, accusing Paris of pursuing policies that undermine Burkina Faso's national interests.
In the statement, authorities alleged that the French government harbors "openly displayed neo-colonial ambitions," provides active support to "subversive networks and terrorist groups" operating in Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel, and promotes what it described as "biased and misleading narratives" aimed at portraying the country as an international pariah.
France has consistently rejected accusations that it supports terrorist groups or seeks to undermine Burkina Faso's sovereignty.
